Scratch-off lottery ticket game structure and method with dynamic validation files to support variable prize structures

Abstract

An instant lottery ticket game structure and method includes a set of instant lottery tickets, wherein a plurality of these tickets are winning tickets having a predetermined first prize value, as well as a predetermined enhanced second prize value. A first validation file is maintained in a central host computer having a primary record for each winning ticket, the primary record including ticket identification data and the predetermined first prize value. A second validation file maintained by a computer includes a base record for each winning ticket having the prize enhancement code for the winning ticket and the second prize value assigned to the winning ticket. A logic gate in the base record automatically activates upon entry of the prize enhancement code, wherein the computer creates a final record for the winning ticket by modifying the base record to include the second prize value as a final prize value. The first validation file is periodically updated with the final records.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An instant lottery ticket game structure system, comprising:
 a set of instant lottery tickets, the lottery tickets comprising printed paper tickets or electronically simulated tickets displayed on a player's smart device, wherein a plurality of the instant lottery tickets are winning tickets that have a positive predetermined first prize value that is revealed to a player by removal of a scratch-off coating on the printed tickets or simulated on the electronically simulated tickets from over prize indicia provided printed or displayed on the winning tickets; 
 at least the winning tickets having a prize enhancement code printed or electronically displayed thereon that enables the player with the option to trade the first prize value for a potential enhanced prize having a value that is greater than the first prize value, wherein each winning ticket has a predetermined second prize value assigned thereto corresponding to the enhanced prize that may be greater than or less than the first prize value; 
 a first electronic validation file maintained in a central host computer, the first validation file including a primary record for at least each of the winning tickets, the primary record including ticket identification data and the predetermined first prize value for the winning ticket; 
 a second electronic validation file maintained by a computer, the second validation file including a base record for at least each of the winning tickets that corresponds to the primary record in the first validation file for the winning ticket and includes the prize enhancement code for the winning ticket, the second validation file further comprising the second prize value assigned to the winning ticket; 
 a computer logic gate in the base record that automatically activates upon entry of the prize enhancement code, wherein the computer then creates an electronic final record for the winning ticket by modifying the base record to include the second prize value as a final prize value for the winning ticket; and 
 the central host computer configured to periodically update the first validation file with the final records generated in the second validation file. 
 
     
     
       2. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer that maintains the second validation file is the central host computer. 
     
     
       3. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer that maintains the second validation file is separate and remote from the central host computer, the final records generated by the second validation file periodically transmitted to the central host computer. 
     
     
       4. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 1 , wherein the prize enhancement code is covered by a scratch-off coating on the printed tickets or simulated on the electronically simulated instant lottery tickets, wherein the player removes the scratch-off coating and the prize enhancement code is transmitted to the central host computer. 
     
     
       5. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 1 , wherein the first validation file includes a primary record for each of the instant lottery tickets in the set of instant lottery tickets, and the second validation file includes a base record for each of the instant lottery tickets in the set of instant lottery tickets. 
     
     
       6. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the instant lottery tickets in the set of instant lottery tickets includes prize enhancement code provided thereon, and wherein the prize enhancement code is only active for the winning tickets. 
     
     
       7. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced prize has a potential value that is (a) a multiple of the first prize value; (b) less than the first prize value; or (c) a total loss of the first prize value. 
     
     
       8. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computer application enabled on a smart device operated by the player, wherein results of entry of the prize enhancement code are revealed to the player via the smart device upon entry of a reveal code by the player. 
     
     
       9. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 6 , wherein the reveal code entered by the player is provided on the winning ticket. 
     
     
       10. The instant lottery ticket game structure system of  claim 6 , wherein the reveal code entered by the player is generated and given to the player when the prize enhancement code is entered. 
     
     
       11. A method for implementing an instant lottery ticket game with a central host computer linked to instant lottery tickets by codes printed or electronically displayed on the instant lottery tickets, comprising:
 providing a set of the instant lottery tickets as printed paper tickets or electronically simulated tickets on a player's smart device, including designating a plurality of the instant lottery tickets as winning tickets that have a positive predetermined first prize value assigned thereto that is revealed to a player by removal of a scratch-off coating on the paper tickets or simulated on the electronically simulated tickets from over prize indicia provided on the winning tickets; 
 providing at least the winning tickets with a printed or electronically displayed prize enhancement code that provides the player with the option to trade the first prize value for an enhanced prize having a potential value that is greater than the first prize value; 
 assigning a predetermined second prize value to the winning tickets that may be greater than or less than the first prize value, the second prize value corresponding to the enhanced prize; 
 prior to distribution of the instant lottery tickets for sale, creating a first electronic validation file and maintaining the first validation file in a central host computer, the first validation file including a primary record for at least each of the winning tickets, the primary record including ticket identification data and the predetermined first prize value for the winning ticket; 
 at the time of creating the first validation file, creating and maintaining a second electronic validation file in a computer, the second validation file including a base record for at least each of the winning tickets, the base record including the ticket identification data from the primary record in the first validation file for the winning ticket and the prize enhancement code for the winning ticket, the second validation file further comprising the second prize value assigned to the winning ticket; 
 configuring the base record with a computer logic gate that automatically activates upon entry of the prize enhancement code, wherein the computer then creates a final record for the winning ticket by modifying the base record to include the second prize value as a final prize value for the winning ticket; and 
 with the central host computer, periodically updating the first validation file with the final records generated in the second validation file. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the computer that maintains the second validation file is the central host computer. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the computer that maintains the second validation file is separate and remote from the central host computer, the final records generated by the second validation file periodically transmitted to the central host computer. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the prize enhancement code is covered by a scratch-off coating printed or electronically simulated on the instant lottery tickets, wherein the player removes the scratch-off coating and the prize enhancement code is transmitted to the central host computer. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first validation file includes a primary record for each of the instant lottery tickets in the set of instant lottery tickets, and the second validation file includes a base record for each of the instant lottery tickets in the set of instant lottery tickets, and wherein each of the instant lottery tickets in the set of instant lottery tickets includes a prize enhancement code provided thereon, and wherein the prize enhancement code is only active for the winning tickets. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a computer application that is enabled on a smart device operated by the player, wherein results of entry of the prize enhancement code are revealed to the player via the smart device upon entry of a reveal code by the player, wherein the reveal code is provided on the winning ticket or is generated and given to the player when the prize enhancement code is entered.